Bhubaneswar, Dec. 27 -- An intense cold wave accompanied by dense fog gripped Odisha on Saturday morning, as large parts of interior and western Odisha have recorded sharp drops in minimum temperatures. The winter conditions are expected to persist across the state for at least another week, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to the weather department, minimum temperatures dipped below 10 degrees Celsius in at least eight cities on Friday night. During this period, Koraput recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 4.8 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest location so far this season.

Daringbadi followed at 6.5 degrees, while Jharsuguda recorded 7.2 degrees and Phulbani 7.5 degrees Celsius. Rourkel...